Latest Events

COSPLAY AT THE SQUARE

The term cosplay originated in Japan, through the activity itself has become increasingly popular in the United States, as well as here in the Philippines and in other parts of the world. An abbreviation for costume play, cosplay refers to the practice of dressing up in costume to resemble anime, Sci-Fi/fantasy and video game characters.

Costumes can be simple or elaborate, store-bought or home-made out of reuse materials. Making their own costumes enables cosplayers to create a costume that accurately resembles their favorite character, as well as to take pride in the fact that they did it themselves. Costume contest are often the highlight of many conventions, for it gives cosplayers the chance to be rewarded for all the hardwork they put into making the costumes.

The object of cosplay is interpretation: one’s attempt to cosplay becomes one’s character like of a stage actor depicts a role. Cosplayers show that they can not only look like their favorite characters, but also talk and act like them as well.

TO THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO JOIN THE COSPLAY AT THE SQUARE 2012 COMPETITION (GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL), PLEASE FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS STATED ON THE PREVIOUS THREAD. THERE ARE LIMITED SLOTS ONLY, SO HURRY UP, REGISTER NOW AND BE COUNTED...LAST SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES WILL BE ON OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2012 ONLY. ON-SITE REGISTRATION WILL BE ON JULY 28 AND 29, 2012.

1. There will be 1 category only. - All cosplayers who have not won any major award (1st) in any previous competition and those who have not won 2nd and 3rd place twice in any cosplay competition.

2. No minimum number of cosplayers.

3. Cosplayers should submit 2 copies of their reference photos.

4. Individual cosplayers can bring their own BGM and submit it during the event.

5. Each cosplayer will be given up to 2 minutes to perform.

6. Individual cosplayers can use human props and there is no limit to the number of human props as long as their performance will not exceed 2 minutes. A 10 point deduction will be made for every minute in excess. There will be a timekeeper assigned at the event to monitor this.

7. Acceptance is on a FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED basis.

GROUP COSPLAY COMPETITION DETAILS:

1. Maximum of 20 cosplay groups will be allowed to compete.

2. Maximum of 5 minutes per group.

3. 5-10 members only per group.

4. Cosplayers should submit their cosplay photo reference and BGM. Submission is until July 31, 2012.

5. Acceptance is on a FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED basis.

DANCE COMPETITION DETAILS:

1. Dance contestants should use any JPop song from an anime… they can use it as is or make a remix of songs. No KPop dance will be allowed.

2. Only a max of 10 dance groups will be allowed to compete.

3. Maximum of 5 minutes per group.

4. Acceptance is on a FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED basis.

GENERAL RULES:1. All contestants should have registered tickets for the event to be eligible to join.

2. Once the form has been submitted and you're accepted, this constitutes as an official purchase of the ticket for the event and no refund will be issued.

3. Major prizes will be sponsored by ___________________.

4. Dangerous stunts, metal props and other dangerous objects or props will not be allowed.

5. You can cosplay any anime, manga, game or movie character.

6. No member of the staff or organizing committee will be allowed to participate in the cosplay event competition.

JUDGING:

1. Judges will be announced during the event.

2. Judges will include one representative from sponsor and others are experts on cosplay and the respective criteria.

CRITERIA:

The general consensus is that there will be A JUDGE FOR EVERY CRITERIA so that the judge can focus on that exclusively.

Individual Cosplay Competition Criteria

Characterization (cosplayers resemblance to the character he/she is cosplaying in terms of personality and actions) - 30%

Costume and Accuracy (accuracy of the costume compared to the reference character, costume quality and its visual appeal) - 30%

Performance (catwalk and performance during the presentation) - 30%

Audience Appeal (how the character can relate and involve the audience. The overall impact of the cosplayer) - 10%

Group Cosplay Competition Criteria

Characterization (cosplayers resemblance to the character he/she is cosplaying in terms of personality and actions) - 25%

Costume and Accuracy (accuracy of the costume compared to the reference character, costume quality and its visual appeal) - 20%

Performance (performance during the presentation) - 35%

Audience Appeal (how the character can relate and involve the audience. The overall impact of the cosplayer) - 20%

1. The Cosplay at the Square is open to all individuals, male or female, ages 13 to 25.

2. Cosplay can be presented EITHER by individual or groups.

3. The Cosplay at the Square will focus on anime characters, sci/fi/fantasy and rpg games characters.

4. Contestants will be accepted only through a pre-registration until July 31, 2012. An on-site registration will also be held on July 28 & 29, 2012 between 10:00am to 6:00pm only. Please refer to the Cosplay Pre-registration procedures below.

5. Contestants are required to submit a reference photo of the character you will be cosplaying. This photo will be the character you will cosplay and NOT a photo of you in costume. It is highly recommended to submit a FULL-BODY colored picture of the character. Black and white pictures are also acceptable. Please submit a soft copy of your reference photo as an email attachment.

6. On the day of the event, Cosplayers will be requested to be ready for a short (no more than 2 minutes) performance onstage. Should you require any technical assistance for your performance (own CD, needs microphone, etc.), please inform the staff during the Cosplay registration.

7. On the event day, Cosplayers and their guests are expected to abide by the Makati Square Complex and Topshoppe Event Hall’s rules and regulations while inside the cosplay event.

8. Extreme kind of fan service (e.g., kissing, PDA, etc.) that is deemed inappropriate for minors are strictly prohibited. Keep in mind that the Cosplay at the Square is a wholesome and a general patronage event.

9. If possible, Costumes should be made out of available recycled materials.

10. Costumes that are too revealing (e.g., exposes private parts) are strictly prohibited. Twisted portrayals of religious characters are not allowed. The Cosplay at the Square team has the right to disqualify any participant on this ground.

11. All kinds of costume props must be handled with utmost care and must not be harmful to his/her fellow cosplayers, event staff and event attendees. Any kind of sharp and/or bladed objects that will be used as costume props that could cut human flesh are strictly prohibited. Any kind of pyrotechnic equipment/s that will be used as costume props that could render damage to the venue and/or property is strictly prohibited.

12. The Cosplay at the Square team will not be held responsible for damage or injury resulting from mishandling and/or negligence of a cosplayer in his/her use of props/materials throughout the duration of the event.

13. The Cosplay at the Square judges’ decisions is final and cannot be appealed.

14. The Cosplay at the Square Contest team reserves the right to disqualify any cosplayer who ignores and/or violates any aforementioned guidelines and the rules of Makati Square and Topshoppe Events Hall.

15. Registration and participation to the cosplay event constitutes that the cosplayer gives the right and the authority to Cosplay at the Square Contest team to take pictures and/or videos of registered cosplayers and will be the sole property of the organizers/staff to be used for future publications and/or advertising promotions.

16. The Cosplay at the Square Contest team reserves the right to change/modify the rules and prizes of the contest without prior notice.

REGISTRATION GUIDELINES:

1. The cosplay registration will be both an on-line pre-registration and on-site registration. Contestants are encouraged to pre-register in advance to free from hassle of joining the contest on the date of the event. On-site registrations will be done only to cater all interested parties without the convenience of having an internet and last minute registrations.

// Pre-registration //

2. One can pre-register through sending an email attention to: Mr. Wayne de Chavez or May Gomez – ocvillaver@gmail.com or amtg_good@yahoo.com

Cosplay Details:a. Name of the Anime Character you are cosplayingb. From (which series or title of the character you are cosplaying came from)c. Brief Description of your characterd. Attach a reference photo of the character you will be cosplaying (JPG, GIF, or PNG file format, no smaller than 300KB and no larger than 3MB)

For email, please email your complete details to: ocvillaver@gmail.com or amtg_good@yahoo.com with subject: COSPLAY AT THE SQUARE CONTEST REGISTRATION. Incomplete or missing details or registrations without photo attachments may lead to a failure in pre-registration.

You shall receive a confirmation message of your successful pre-registration once your registration has been found complete with all the required details.

4. Pre-registration shall be open until July 31, 2012.

5. CONFIRM your pre-registration on August 4 or 5, 2012 by approaching the Cosplay Registration Desk located at the 2nd Level, Makati Square Complex, sign the Image Release Waiver, pay a joining fee of P300.00 for the group and P150.00 for indivudual and receive your official contestant number. You will need to confirm your pre-registration on or before the pre-registration deadline.

//On-site Registration//6. Cosplay contestants are required to register wearing their full costume (special considerations may apply for heavy/bulky/robot costumes). All registrations shall be treated on a first-come, first-served basis.

7. All registrants are required to submit a reference photo of the character they will be cosplaying upon registration.

8. Cosplayers below thirteen (13) years of age must have their parent/s and/or legal guardian/s sign the waiver/image release form which will be distributed at the event.